By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Welcome to Part II of SOS – Settings on Steroids.

A character who lives in the setting will not make the same observations as a visitor. A seasoned character’s emtions are different from a novice in a specific environment. The seven universal emotions, according to Tonya Reiman in The Power of Body Language, are surprise, fear, anger, sadness, disgust, happiness, and contempt. Move your characters around in the setting and initiate those universal emotions. Use active verbs and muscle-laden nouns to show more about your character.

The setting in your genre gives your plot power.

Consider a romance set on a Caribbean island. What looks idyllic with sun-kissed days on white-sand beaches and nights filled with the perfume of exotic plants can turn into a nightmare when a tropical storm threatens the safety of young lovers.

A suspense novel builds momentum when the protagonist chases a villain into a dark building.  Or the protagonist discovers his boss is a villain.

What happens in a kingdom far away when a gentle king who provides for his people is replaced by a tyrant who places the people in bondage?

In a historical setting, breathtaking mountain peaks become deadly if a wagon train is trapped by a snow storm. Or the lure of owning property in the West is met by a cattle baron who threatens new settlers, controls the water rights, and sets fire to dry earth.

In a sci-fi novel, an isolated, peaceful planet is invaded by aliens who require the inhabitant’s life source.

A contemporary setting in a rural community, known for its charm and family appeal, is hit by a mile-wide tornado.

A writer who visits her setting has the advantage of sensory perception while walking the same earth as the character. Acquiring detail means hard work, but the rewards pay off with more readers.

To make a story come alive, consider the items listed below.

1. Visit the area’s Chamber of Commerce.
2. Conduct a google search of the community or area.
3. Take lots of pictures and label them.
4. Interview the people living in the area. In a historical, this also means reading diaries and journals. How has history affected the community?
5. Listen to how the local people talk. Do they have a unique vocabulary?
6. What is the area’s culture? What are their values and expectations?
7. What is their diet? How do they obtain their food supply?
8. How is the area governed?
9. Local restaurants and hotels?
10. What is their source of entertainment?
11. How do they experience the seasons and what are average temperatures?
12. What are their medical concerns? Is medical care available?
13. Where do the people live?
14. Where do the people shop?
15. How do people dress?
16. Do the arts play a role in the community?
17. If the area is near a national or state park, look for research material in the visitor’s section.
18. Know the wildlife and birds of the area.
19. How do the people view education, sports teams, and favorite colleges and universities?
20. How do the people earn a living?
21. Locate a map of the area.
22. Visit the local library. View newspaper archives.
23. Look for documentaries.

No matter the genre of your book, use the above twenty-three suggestions to create your story world. Your imagination is your friend. Read the settings of your favorite writers. How can yours be exceptional?

If you use a real place, be sensitive to those living there. A writer wouldn’t want a serial murder living on a real street in a community.

I hope your mind is spinning with possibilities to make your setting powerful. Setting doesn’t have to be the frail stepchild of fiction when you use steroids to exaggerate, magnify, or speed up conflict.

How are you going to up the stakes on your story?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Suspense Sister, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson. She teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.